Showing posts tagged Apple

Apple's production suppliers and This American Life

I’ve just listened to last week’s This American Life. While the Foxconn suicides of 2010 made headlines I haven’t really thought about the it or any of the other factories where Apple has its devices assembled. This episode of the radio show is really interesting, while half of the entertainment is the way Mike Daisey tells the story (which is brilliant in my opinion) they offer an analysis and fact check in act two. A brilliant listen if you ask me, especially now that Apple has released a full list of production partners for the first time.

Let us not forget that it’s not just Apple that do business with these companies.

pod2g, planetbeing, MuscleNerd and p0sixninja unite to work on A5 jailbreak

This looks promising. Like the article mentions, pod2g is really good at keeping the public up to date on progress.

I used to be completely dependent on a jailbreak. When I had my 4 and 3GS before that, the phone being jailbroken was an absolute requirement. I even jailbroken all the betas of iOS 5. Since I’ve had the 4S, however, I’ve not felt the need to. I know that there hasn’t been a jailbreak available but even so, I haven’t felt the want for one. Until about two weeks ago that is. As more tweets emerge from the account of pod2g I feel the glowing embers of my excitement spark that particular fire back to life.

I am now seriously pumped for an A5 jailbreak.

The iPhone 3GS

3GS (back)

In August of 2009, a mere month before I left for university I bought myself my first iPhone. The 3GS was released only a couple of months prior and it was an item I’d been lusting after since its announcement. I’d been interested in the iPhone 3G and the original iPhone before that but neither had really tempted me to the point of actually getting the phone. However, after feeling my granddad’s 3GS in my hand and actually using it as a phone I realised that I needed one.

So I used all of my birthday money to buy a 16GB 3GS contract free. I still have this phone and although I have been through two 3Gs and an iPhone 4 since then, and am currently sporting a 4S, I have a soft spot for the 3GS.

3GS text

For me, the 3G and 3GS had the best form factor. I’m holding my still perfectly functional phone and wondering how I was so enticed by the 4. After playing around with it for the past couple of days I’m wondering why I felt I needed the 4 or 4S. The 3GS, while noticeably slower than my current phone, puts up a good fight. For me, the main drawback of the 3GS is the camera. After living with an 8 MP camera in my pocket for the past months I don’t think I could go back. However, iOS 5 supporting the 3GS I can see why Apple are still selling it new (although I don’t know if I’d cope taking out a fresh 2 year contract and using a 3GS for the full duration). Even though I was really wowed but the 4s retina display, the 3GS’ screen holds up surprisingly well.

3GS nonretina

Even though it’s taken a beating, You’ll be surprised to hear that it is fully functional. Calls and texts work fine, as well was the speakers and vibration motor. The screen has been smashed to bits but it still functions perfectly with precision and accuracy with every touch. I can’t believe how broken the screen is yet it still works!

3GS jack3GS smashed

In conclusion, the iPhone 3GS is the iPhone that got me into iPhones. It was a leap forward in it’s day and is still a worthwhile upgrade for a great many people; especially those who are moving upwards from non-smartphones. I just don’t know how long it can hang on with a lot of graphically intense games either performing terribly or flat out not supporting it. It’s a shame, because it’s such a beautiful device :)

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